Development of electromyographic indicators for the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders: a protocol for an assessor-blinded cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundNoninvasive and easy-to-use surface electromyography (EMG) is frequently utilized for the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). However, few EMG parameters that consider TMDs in addition to the cranio-cervical-mandibular system have been regarded as important in traditional Korean medicine.MethodsThis clinical trial will be conducted as an assessor-blinded cross-sectional study. The participants will be classified based on the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs Symptom Questionnaire (DC/TMD SQ) and 30 TMD patients and 30 healthy controls will be enrolled. The primary outcome will be the percentage overlapping coefficient (POC; %) in the masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles between the patient group and healthy control group in clenching and cervical side flexion. The secondary outcomes include the score from temporomandibular joint-related questionnaires, the difference in the absolute values of EMG for the healthy group and TMD group before/after wearing intraoral appliances, and the change in the location of the temporomandibular joint as determined by X-ray imaging and 3D face photography.DiscussionThis study will provide information about the objective diagnostic method for TMD using surface EMG and will verify the effectiveness of surface EMG in diagnosing TMD. Furthermore, the method or device for diagnosis TMD will improve the expansion of treatment area to TMD by accumulating evidence for the efficacy of TKM treatment.

Regulación voluntaria de la actividad contráctil del músculo masetero en individuos sanos y con trastornos temporomandibulares. Un potencial test diagnóstico

“…However, methodological difficulties related to the standardization of the technique have proven difficult to overcome, and several methods have been clinically impracticable (21) . The validity, sensitivity, and specificity of the records with the variables analyzed so far (latency, morphology, and electromyographic silent period) have been questioned based on current scientific evidence (22)(23)(24)(25)(26) .…”

Evaluation of Masseter Muscle Activity Using Electromyogram Following Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis

“…Several previous studies suggested that SEMG is a useful objective tool for diagnosis of the dysfunction of the masticatory muscles in patients with TMDs 15,2224 , while other studies contradict this opinion and stated that SEMG has limited role in TMDs diagnosis and could leads to a unnecessary dental treatment to treat these disorders 2527 , in between these two opposite opinions, recent studies mentioned that SEMG can be used only as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of the myogenous TMDs 17 .…”

“…This clinical symptoms are still considered by many as a subjective tool for assessment. It has been reported that a need for objective data in decision making is necessary to reduce reliance on subjective improvement and clinically observed data 15,16 .…”

“…Electronic instrumentation provides objective measurement for many of the biological phenomena, and thus can be used throughout treatment to provide critical data that monitor and enhance treatment efficacy. Electromyography (EMG) is considered as one of the diagnostic tools used in identifying and analyzing TMDs 15,17 . It's mode of action is similar to the electrocardiogram which measures the muscular activity and dysfunctions of the heart muscle.…”

Depression and Resting Masticatory Muscle Activity

“…Diagnostics of temporomandibular disorders can be extended with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or X-ray imaging. Nonetheless, these methods are hard to reach, expensive, and limited in the assessment of clinical symptoms of TMDs [9]. Other examinations used in diagnostics of TMDs are mandibular kinesiography (MKG), ultrasonography, and electromyography (EMG) [10].…”